One gift, lots of giving

Bill Diamond wanted to build one of the biggest, most elaborate pieces for St. Charles East High School's annual holiday toy auction because they bring in the highest bids.

And high bids mean more money with which to purchase gifts for needy kids at Mooseheart.

So Diamond, who heads to Marine Corps boot camp in July, spent his semester in shop class building a beautiful pine chest to serve as the capstone of his four years in the woodworking program.

"What do you think that'll go for?" his mother, Sharon Diamond, asked woodworking teacher Jim McCarthy as they watched Bill compete at a wrestling meet a few weeks ago.

McCarthy said he wasn't sure but guessed it could fetch a couple hundred bucks. Proceeds from the auction have grown from $3,000 to $11,500 since it began four years ago. Sharon, a single mom who has raised three kids on her own, was floored.

McCarthy and Sharon met again at the auction Tuesday. Bidding for Bill's chest quickly escalated. McCarthy made the winning bid -- $500 -- and approached Diamond.

"He walked over and said, 'Merry Christmas. That's for you.' I couldn't believe it," she said.

The chest is now sitting in the Diamond family's living room, an angel on top, waiting to store letters from Bill when the future Marine writes to his mom and two sisters.

"It just really touched my heart that Mr. McCarthy did that," Sharon said. "He's a fantastic teacher. I can't say enough about him. It was my Christmas miracle to get that hope chest."

Along with St. Charles East Principal Bob Miller and other students, Bill delivered gifts to Mooseheart Thursday. He said he'll miss participating in the annual ritual.

"It's probably one of the most rewarding feelings you could ever feel," Bill said. "Especially considering it's Christmas and a time to give."

Sharon couldn't be more proud. But she worries about her son. She had tried to talk him out of joining the Marines, but it's something he's planned to do for as long as he can remember.

"He told me he has a calling to go. He wants to serve our country any way he can," she said.

After the military, Bill plans to become a police officer.

"Our life, it hasn't always been easy," his mom said. "I don't like to say that it's been hard financially because it's kind of personal, but that meant so much to me because (Bill) made that to give away. I was just so proud of him."

Days later, McCarthy again gets choked up talking about it.

"That was my Christmas present to myself -- to give that to him to give to his mother," McCarthy said. "If you knew him you'd do the same thing in the same situation. He's a good kid."